44 Years and Counting…

One man’s life long lover affair with a ’62 Impala SS

As told by William “Nick” Nicholson #13007912 – Mechanicsville, VA

When I was growing up, my cousin Jack would let me come over to his garage to polish the chromed pieces on his ’32 Deuce Coupe. I remember my biggest thrill back then was when he would agree to give me a ride home in his car – and all my friends on the street would be jealous. That’s how it all started for me.

As I got older, I started hanging around the ESSO gas station (yes, before the Exxon days began) down the street from my house. Pretty soon I was pumping gas and spending every minute I could learning from John ‘Buddy’ Melillo – the mechanic at the two bay garage that was the heart and soul of Vinny’s Service Station.